Congratulations

Samuel Montoya, Cassius Montoya, Miller “Kip” Karnes

The testing begins with the conditioning we do before every class with push ups, crunches, and stretches.

Then we begin the testing with all techniques shown on the equipment. Focus mitts for hand techniques, air shields for kicking techniques, and coach bags for sweeping and take down techniques. Not everything is pictured.

Then the test moves to self defense techniques. Everything is not pictured.

The students then defend themselves against sticks, knives, and guns. Not everything is pictured.

The students then demonstrate ground techniques such as falling, rolling out, slap outs and then the self defense techniques. Everything is not pictured.

With the equipment work with hands and kicks, the empty hand self defense techniques, defense against sticks, knives, and guns, and the ground techniques and self defense techniques on the matts are all explained in how to execute as if they are explaining to some one who does not understand any of these techniques.

The Black Belt candidates then perform fourteen kata. These are listed on our KARATE/KOBUDO SYYLABUS page on this web site.

The shinai (Kendo training tool) testes the student’s mental strength. They learn not to fear pain (it doesn’t really hurt that much). Sensei Richard always lets the students have a shot at him and kip refused, instead wanting the strike points tested again. This then motivated Sam and Cassius to do the same. Not all strike points are pictured.

The candidates then spar all students on the floor, beginning with the lowest rank and working up to the highest rank. The goal is to see the spirit of “Never give up” demonstrated. These are just a few of the pictures of the 18 matches each fought this night.

Each new Black Belt is called up and awarded their new rank. Job well done!

We had great student support for our three newest Black Belts.

Shodan Samuel Martinez with Dad, Robert, and Mom, Anna. Samuel started training in 2010 at the age of four.

There would be no young Black Belts without many years of family support.

Shodan Cassius Martinez with Mom, Amber, Dad, Eric, Brown Belt belt brother, Zeke, and Grandma. Cassius started training in 2015 at the age of seven. Again, it is with great family support that this rank can be achieved.

Shodan Miller H. “Kip” Karnes started training in 2017. Kip has trained in several different styles of martial arts throughout his life. He has now achieved his Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. Kip approaches his training the way he has his life, with hard work and dedication to detail. He is a PhD and teaches Special Education at Gil Sanchez Elementary school.

We’re glad he joined the family at Belen Goju Ryu Karate.